Jack Stephens believes Coventry City can build on the positives of an ultimately frustrating League One campaign.

The Southampton loan player is unlikely to be back with the Sky Blues next season but says fans should have plenty of hope for a better outcome next year.

“It’s just not quite going for us at the moment, which is very frustrating,” said the 22-year-old defender, reflecting on Saturday’s narrow 1-0 defeat by champions elect Wigan Athletic.

“I thought we matched them for the first 45 and then they came out in the second half and had bit more of a go and obviously got their goal when they were on top and we couldn’t quite find our way back into the game.

“I think we have played really well in the last few weeks, apart from maybe the first 15/20 minutes against Colchester, so there’s definitely a lot of hope for next season.

“As for the remainder of this season, we just want to win as many as we can.”

City more than matched the league leaders in the first half at the DW Stadium where they defended well but just couldn’t get the all-important goal to get their noses in front and ease the pressure on the back line. And with just four goals in the last ten games, it’s clear where things are going wrong for Tony Mowbray’s men right now.

“The whole team are frustrated we’re not scoring goals or winning enough games,” said Stephens.

“When you go to places like Wigan it’s important to score when you’re on top but it’s not just the strikers, it’s everyone on the pitch who gets chances. Obviously they took their chance, we didn’t.

“Fair play to them they came out and played well after the break. They were patient with it and didn’t try to score with every opportunity and I think that’s where their goal came from, when they managed to pin us into our box for a period of time and wait for their opening.

“The lad took it well but it’s disappointing from our point of view because up until then we had defended well and limited their chances.

“Reice saved the penalty but from open play I don’t think he’s had a save to make. We are working really hard to put it right and we’re really disappointed with results.”